It goes without saying – the support staff on strike has posed a unique set of challenges for Mohawk College.   With the theoretical ball being left behind by the strikers, part-time and administrative staff have teamed up with students to keep the game in play.
Some big names in the college have been found helping out wherever possible.
“I even saw [Mohawk College] President Rob MacIsaac [helping out] in the OSAP office one of the days,” said Andy Hall, MSA’s Vice President.
Meanwhile over in The Square, Jay Robb, Director of Media Relations for…

Students are left wondering how to vote on Oct. 6 as campus polling stations have been cancelled.
Since the strike isn’t expected to be over any time soon, Elections Canada has decided not to have special polling stations on campus for fear that the strikers will compromise the safety and integrity of the voting system. These on-campus polls were a new idea meant to start this year to encourage about 200,000 Ontario college students to have their say in the upcoming election.
Since youth voter turnout has been something of a concern in Canada…

Students are keeping their fingers as strikers go back to the bargaining table. The Ontario Public Services Employees Union (OPSEU) has adjusted their demands, causing the mediator for the strike to pass the message to school management. This could possibly allow talks to continue as early as Sept. 17.
The main sticking point in this strike is the three per cent wage increase, and job security that the union is asking for.
“By modifying our demands on wages and retiree benefits, we demonstrated our commitment to the bargaining process and the students to return…

After nearly two weeks of delays, the newly renovated Arnie may soon be open for business.
The Arnie was scheduled to open on three different dates, including this past Wednesday. Each of these cancellations were due to problems with the flooring.
President of the Mohawk Students Association, Daniel Clark, says there was an oily film on the floor, making it extremely slippery and unsafe for students.
“Honestly, it was like a skating rink in there,” Clark said. “A wet sheet of ice.”
As a solution to this problem, the flooring company has decided to…

Future Mohawk students may have even more debt before graduating as plans for a brand new athletics facility gets underway.
“[The MSA] has been talking with the college and athletics committee and the college has decided that this is the next step in our renovations in order to stay current and competitive with other colleges,” says MSA President Dan Clark.
The estimated cost of the new facility is $17 million and will be partly subsidized by an undetermined fee once the facility is completed in 2014.
Three years ago the MSA held a referendum…

Usually this time of year the Mohawk Sports Park is full of varsity athletes playing rugby, soccer and fastball.
This season, however, the park sits empty.  A college support-staff strike means some of these athletes may be looking at a lost season. Many games have already been postponed and no one knows what the future holds.
“We have such a short season already that I’m concerned how many games we’re going to have to be playing to make up for those extra games that have already been postponed,” said fastball pitcher Jessica Denstedt.
Michelle…

Dear Mohawk College Students,
As of the writing of this message, there is a support staff strike across the province.
Although the front line support staff have gone on a legal strike, management and contract employees will be attempting to keep the college open. Classes and Orientation will continue as planned.
The Mohawk Students’ Association is in constant contact with college management and we ask you to monitor www.mohawkSTUDENTS.ca to keep up to date on the strike.
Picket Lines
Please understand that you will be required to cross a picket line to get on…

You can throw cans in the recycling bin, but did you know body parts can be recycled too? Initially it may sound disturbing, but donating your organs and tissue is something all too real.
Every day, roughly 1700 people wait for the arrival of the one thing that would make them whole again. It could be a liver, skin tissue, or even a heart. Whatever it is, a successful transplant can completely change a recipient’s life.
“If it weren’t for someone’s compassion, we wouldn’t be having this conversation,” said Grant Hagerty, who is one…

The Satellite Newspaper is shedding some weight by decreasing the number of physical papers that will be printed next year.
With electronic media becoming more popular, The Mohawk Students’ Association is looking at new ways of distributing the student-run paper.
“Times are changing and less people, less students in the hallway are actually picking up the physical format of the paper,’ said Satellite Marketing Manager Steve Kosh. “So we’re going to retool, redesign it and put it in more of a digital format and it also falls in line with the sustainability initiatives of…